Lib Tech Vert Surfboard

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2026 Posts Windward

got to jump em!

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

I just saw these at Oregon surf shop and they look unbelievably sick. I want a 5'10 Bowl

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

Just got the 6'0" Vert and spent last week playing in the surf at Manzo with it. Awesome, playful board that is my new fav in the waves. Goes up wind fine, easy to jibe, smooth in the chop and fun to jump. And the durability makes it worry-free- what's not to love.

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

Hi.

I have a slight domed deck on my board and like it a lot, wondering how that inverted deck feels after a long session ?

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 614 Posts Addicted

Might want to talk to Tim at Oregon Surf Shop I heard he has busted 1 already...

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

Some people like the concave deck. I prefer a convex deck with heel dent pockets.

I have also heard of some durability concerns with creasing the deck rail channel with your heel when jumping. Too bad, it's cool that they're trying something different. Maybe the next round will be stronger and more "wow" than "meh" shapes.

Oregon Surf Shop Tim · Since 04 Feb 2008 70 Posts Lincoln City Oregon

I have kited the 5'8" Vert. Had a blast on it. Good flex characteristics, good weight. really liked it a lot. I did not break it! Very Happy

Between Ben and I, we have a couple of sessions on it and it has a bit of a crease/crack on the ridge of the chanel out by the rail from our heal hammering on it. I think it is important to note that I have never heard anybody from Lib say that they were building this to be a kiteboard, they built these to be a surfboard and we have been kiting them a bit. As you all know , kiteboards take a far more severe beating in the course of there average session than a surfboard does. It is also worth noting that I weigh 200 lbs or so and tend to be a bit hard on my gear.
As far as I am concerned the construction is super solid and I am super stoked with the boards and with the fact that the guys up at Libtech are cranking out an eco friendly , manufactured board in not only North America but the good old Pacific Northwest!

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

http://espn.go.com/action/snowboarding/blog/_/post/8126634/lib-tech-mike-olson

Pretty rad that Shorties is on Espn.

The video of them flexing the board is pretty impressive too.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

I thought LibTech was out of Cali.

surfalki1 · Since 17 May 2010 21 Posts

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

Just checking in for an update on these boards. I think the appeal to most kiters is the claimed durability, any word from those using these boards?

Bargeslayer · Since 08 Jul 2012 100 Posts Stoked

I've been using one since august for surfing and kiting. Been treating it like shit and don't have a single ding. These boards rock!

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

I picked mine up in August as well and just love it. No damage yet with plenty of abuse. Finally, a board that surfs great that I can just chuck in the back of my car with no worries.

krueg · Since 16 Feb 2010 51 Posts Wenatchee Wa **CGKA Member**

Love mine! had it wash up on some rocks and get smacked around a bit by waves and not a scratch on it. I have one ding where I threw it under my arm and the bottom side caught my spreader bar buckle, but it's small enough that you wouldn't see it unless you look hard. Also, after getting used to the concave deck I feel like it is a liitle more comfortable and controllable.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

I demo'd a 5'9" for a couple of weeks. Very lively board. Though it rode larger that it was, it had a tendency to stall in the bottom turn, which you would expect as a shorter ride, and I'm probably too tall and heavy for a 5'7". Still acceptable so I preferred it on higher wind days and pretty loaded.

I also rode the 6'0" and it had the drive on the bottom turn really exposing the Lib Tech's snap out of the turn like a good snowboard. Very similar to how a Firewire feels. Great board when you want to under-rig a little and surf it.

Both of them I rode unstrapped and I think with the tendency for the material to wear quickly that is the way to go on these. Like Tim said, it is a surfboard and probably should,nt be jumped and ridden hard by riders demanding a lot of wave bashing.

I think this material is going to make a great longboard BTW. Can't wait!!

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

How much do you weigh Barfly? At 195 I'm wondering if a 6'0" would do me good in the Bowl series. I'm thinking there may be a possibility of surfing the 6'0" too, at least on steeper days. I'm hoping to pick up a used one before next season.

Andy

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

I'm lighter at 175 6'. The boards I tried were Verts and I think b/c they seem to ride large, you would be good with one of those. The Bowl would probably be a great ride a little shorter than 6' probably (??) for those small fat wave days in the summer. I would think they have really good float and with the wide tails very skatey.